Nairobi, 27th September 2024
In a strategic meeting with Ward Finance Officers, Dr. John Ntoiti, Director Revenue Administration and Acting CEO, Nairobi Revenue Administration, today discussed strategies to integrate cess payers into the Unified Business Permit (UBP) as part of efforts to strengthen Nairobi County’s financial management.
Dr. Ntoiti commended the ward finance officers for their efforts in revenue collection over the past financial year, which resulted in a record Kshs. 12.8 billion in revenue. “As we transition to Nairobi Revenue Authority, we aim to adopt a more structured and streamlined approach to revenue collection,” said Dr. Ntoiti.
One of the key shifts in this transformation will be a change in the role of ward finance officers, who will now be responsible for managing all revenue streams within their respective wards, rather than focusing on individual revenue streams. Dr. Ntoiti emphasized the importance of a more comprehensive approach to revenue collection that captures all potential sources of revenue.
To promote accountability, he introduced a competition among the ward officers to encourage the onboarding of cess payers into the UBP. He also announced the implementation of performance metrics, such as tracking percentage performance per ward, to measure the progress and efficiency of revenue collection efforts.
The Unified Business Permit (UBP), one of the county’s flagship initiatives, consolidates several business-related licenses including business permits, fire safety certifications, food, advertising signage permits, and health licenses among others into a single payment process. “The UBP is a testament to our commitment to improving the business environment in Nairobi. By simplifying procedures for business owners, we can better track renewals, enhance compliance, and manage data more effectively,” Dr. Ntoiti said.
This is expected to lower the cost of doing business in the county, offering a more efficient and affordable way for businesses to meet regulatory requirements. As UBP adoption grows, Nairobi aims to position itself as a leader in modern revenue collection systems.
Ward finance officers raised several challenges they face in their work, including overlapping roles, inadequate resources such as gadgets and uniforms, lack of identification cards, and understaffing. They also highlighted the need for enforcement in volatile areas and called for regulation on road reserves, where businesses have long operated while only paying cess.
The officers also requested training and capacity-building seminars to enhance their skills.
In response, Dr. Ntoiti announced that the Debt Collection Unit (DCU) would be deployed to ensure compliance in difficult areas and to support the county’s revenue collection efforts. He also addressed concerns about impersonation during revenue collection, pledging to provide ward finance officers with uniforms and official identification cards. Additionally, he committed to addressing the staffing shortages across the county’s 17 sub-counties.
Dr. Ntoiti called for unity and professionalism among revenue department staff, encouraging officers to support one another and work as a team. He also advocated for gender equality in leadership, urging for more women to take up senior roles within the department.
He further revealed plans to devolve parking services to the ward level, a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and ensuring parking fees are collected more effectively.
Dr. Ntoiti issued a stern warning to officers, advising them to refrain from collecting cash from traders. He emphasized that any officer found engaging in such activities would face strict disciplinary action.
In recognition of long-serving employees, Dr. Ntoiti announced the formation of a special committee to organize an end-of-year event that would include a send-off ceremony for retiring staff, honoring their contributions to the county’s success. “We owe a great deal to our retirees, whose dedication has paved the way for our current achievements,” he said.
With these initiatives, Nairobi County is set to transform its revenue collection framework, creating a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable system that will drive the county’s future growth.
Present at the meeting was Sub County Finance Officer for Makadara, Josphat Abuga, Ward Finance Officers from all 85 wards, Administration Officer, Peninah Mueni among other officers.
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